Tag: Julius Erving Award

Chad Baker-Mazara named to ‘Julis Erving Award’ Watch List

Baker-Mazara is one of 20 small forwards on the preseason watch list.

Auburn forward Chad Baker-Mazara has been named to the ‘Julis Erving Award’ watch list ahead of the 2024-2025 season. The award, which recognizes the best small forward in college basketball, has never been won by a Tiger.

The committee named 20 college basketball small forwards to its preseason watch list on Wednesday. Baker-Mazara, along with Texas forward Arthur Kaluma, Missouri transfer Mark Mitchell, and Kentucky graduate transfer Jaxson Robinson, make up the four players representing the SEC on the watch list. Duke freshman phenom and likely first overall NBA Draftee Cooper Flagg was also tabbed in the exclusive list of 20 players.

Now a senior, Baker-Mazara is coming off a terrific opening season on the Plains. The 24-year-old was one of three Tigers to average double-digit points (10.0), and he finished among the team leaders in assists, blocks, and steals. Baker-Mazara’s 1.5 blocks and steals per game was second on the team, behind only superstar Johni Broome.

The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native is primed for an even bigger role in head coach Bruce Pearl’s rotation this season. With Auburn’s second leading scorer from a year ago, Jaylin Williams, now fighting for a roster spot in the NBA, Baker-Mazara should see an increased role on the offensive end of the floor. If he can continue filling the stat-sheet while turning those new opportunities into buckets, the senior should finish among the finalists for the ‘Julis Erving Award’.

Baker-Mazara will surely have bigger things on his mind when the Tigers open up the season, especially after his junior year ended prematurely due to an NCAA Tournament ejection. Auburn’s quest to make a deep run into March begins on Wednesday, November 6 at Neville Arena against Vermont.

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Michigan State basketball forward named to Julius Erving Award watchlist

Michigan State basketball forward named to Julius Erving Award watchlist

One Wednesday, less than a week from the start of the regular season, a Michigan State basketball forward was named to a prestigious watch list. Incoming transfer Frankie Fidler was named to the Julius Erving Award watch list, which honors the top small forward in college basketball.

A few weeks ago, Tom Izzo said that Fidler, who transferred in from Omaha, has been his most consistent player this offseason.

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Dalton Knecht wins Julius Erving Award

Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht wins the Julius Erving Award.

Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht earned Julius Erving Award honors.

Knecht led Tennessee to a 2023-24 Southeastern Conference regular-season championship and to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Tennessee advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the second time in school history.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award,” Knecht said. “To see my name associated with one of the greatest basketball players ever is truly humbling. I want to thank Julius Erving and the entire committee for selecting me. It would not have been possible, though, without my teammates and coaches. I’d like to express my appreciation to every single one of them for supporting me throughout this entire season, on and off the court. I will be forever grateful to all of them, as well as to the University of Tennessee community and Vol Nation, for embracing me in such an incredible way.”

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Dalton Knecht named to Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year midseason watch list

Dalton Knecht named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year midseason watch list.

Dalton Knecht has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year midseason top 10 list.

The list was announced Wednesday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The honor is awarded to the top small forward in NCAA Division I men’s college basketball. The top 10 list was determined by a national committee of top college basketball personnel.

Joining Knecht on the list are Jamison Battle (Ohio State); Keion Brooks (Washington); Tucker DeVries (Drake); Harrison Ingram (North Carolina); David Jones (Memphis); Dillon Jones (Weber State); Baylor Scheirman (Creighton); Jaylon Tyson (Cal) and Anton Watson (Gonzaga).

Knecht, a graduate transfer from Northern Colorado, is the SEC’s leading scorer, averaging 20.1 points per game. He has recorded a .488 field goal percentage and a .400 three-point field goal percentage. Knecht has been named SEC Player of the Week three times.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Dalton Knecht named to Julius Erving Award watch list

Vols’ graduate transfer named to Julius Erving Award watch list.

Tennessee forward Dalton Knecht has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award preseason watch list by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The award, named for 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, is awarded to the top small forward in NCAA Division I college basketball.

Knecht is one of 20 players on the watch list, determined by a national panel of top college basketball personnel.

Knecht, a graduate transfer from Northern Colorado, was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference player last season after winning the league’s scoring title. He averaged 20.2 points per game and ranked 23rd in the nation in scoring.

During his senior season at Northern Colorado, Knecht eclipsed the 30-point mark three times.

Ohio State freshman Brice Sensabaugh named to Julius Erving Top 10

Some good recognition for Sensabaugh here. #GoBucks

Ohio State basketball freshman Brice Sensabaugh has been named one of the Top 10 candidates for the 2023 Julius Erving Award as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Wednesday.

The annual award recognizes the top small forwards in Division I college basketball and is named after Hall of Famer Julius Erving. The recognition is in its ninth year of existence.

By all accounts and measures, Sensabaugh has performed well above expectations, especially for a freshman. He is the Buckeyes’ leading scorer at 17. 3 points per game — the second-best in the country among all freshmen.

From Orlando, Florida, Sensabaugh was a four-star prospect that hasn’t had too many issues transitioning to the college game. He is second on the team in rebounds (5.6 per game), has scored twenty points or more eight times this season, and has three triple-doubles on the year.

Five finalists will be revealed in March with fans can having the ability to support their favorite players in the remaining rounds by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, Feb. 10, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process according to a release.

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ACC players selected in the 2022 NBA draft

Who from the Irish’s conference have made the jump?

For the fourth time since 1999, a Duke player was the first overall selection of the NBA draft. That also made it the ninth consecutive year in which the ACC had one of its players taken within the first four picks. The conference had a decent night overall, but the 2022 NBA Draft particularly was amazing for Duke, like that surprises anyone. Meanwhile, Notre Dame saw one of its own selected in the first round, which had not happened in seven years.

While it would be nice to guarantee that all of these players will hit it big in the NBA, we all know that’s unlikely. Some might be future superstars, and others might not even register a single minute in the league. Time will let all of these careers play out, and it’s not really the time to speculate on who will be good or bad. This is the time for them to celebrate the next chapter of their lives.

Here are the ACC players who were drafted by NBA teams in 2022:

Duke Freshman Jalen Johnson Out Indefinitely With Injured Foot

When Notre Dame faces No. 22 Duke on Wednesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Blue Devils won’t be at full strength.

When Notre Dame faces No. 22 Duke on Wednesday, the Blue Devils won’t be at full strength. In fact, that will be the reality for Duke for the foreseeable future. Freshman forward Jalen Johnson, who has more talent than any other Blue Devil this season, has a foot injury and will be sidelined indefinitely. Duke, which recently announced that it is forgoing the remainder of its nonconference schedule, next plays Dec. 29 against Pittsburgh.

Johnson is projected to be a first-round selection in the 2021 NBA draft. He made the preseason watch lists for the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award and Julius Erving Award, which goes to the top small forward in the country. He also was a first-team Preseason All-ACC selection. Through four games, he is averaging 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds a game on 54.3 percent shooting from the field.

The Irish could get a chance to face Johnson when the teams meet again Feb. 9 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Regardless, a win against Duke is what every team strives for. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a conference rival. That’s the team you definitely want to beat when the opportunity arrives.

Keyontae Johnson named to Julius Erving Award watch list

Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson was among the shortlist of names released for the Julius Erving Award watch list.

Junior Florida forward Keyontae Johnson, a Coaches First Team All-SEC selection from last season, has been named to the watch list for the Julius Erving Award, given annually to the top small forward in college basketball.

Johnson was one of 20 players named to the watch list, which will be narrowed to 10 players by late January. In late February, it will be cut to five finalists.

The winner will be announced on April 9, 2021.

Johnson chose to return to Florida for his junior season, and he’s expected to be one of the top players in the conference. He led the team in scoring as a sophomore with 14 points per game, and he was second in rebounding, averaging 7.1 per contest.

He’s one of two Florida players to be named to a preseason watch list for a national award, as Scottie Lewis was announced as a nominee for the Jerry West Award, given to the top shooting guard, on Tuesday.

Here’s the full watch list for the Erving Award.

Derrick Alston Jr. Boise State
Jalen Johnson Duke
Wendell Moore Duke
Jayden Gardner East Carolina
Keyontae Johnson Florida
Corey Kispert Gonzaga
Brandon Boston Jr. Kentucky
D.J. Jeffries Memphis
Aaron Wiggins Maryland
Franz Wagner Michigan
Aaron Henry Michigan State
Ron Harper Jr. Rutgers
Matt Mitchell San Diego State
Ziaire Williams Stanford
Yves Pons Tennessee
Terrence Shannon, Jr. Texas Tech
Chris  Smith UCLA
Timmy Allen Utah
Jermaine Samuels Villanova
Sam Hauser Virginia

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MSU Basketball SF Aaron Henry named to Julius Erving Award watch list

Aaron Henry has been named to the Julius Erving Award preseason watch list for the best small forward in all of college basketball.

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Junior forward Aaron Henry has been named to the Julius Erving Award preseason watch list for the best small forward in all of college basketball. The watch list was announced on Wednesday, and included a total of 20 players.

This award is presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be handed out on April 9, 2021. Former Spartan legend Denzel Valentine won this award in 2016.

Henry considered leaving school early and entering the NBA Draft, but ultimately chose to return to East Lansing for another season. Henry is MSU’s leading returning scorer — averaging 10 points per game last year.

With both Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman off to the NBA, Henry — who started 29 of 30 games last year — will be more of a offensive vocal point for the Spartans this season.

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